First offroad with my 2015 TEP

[PCH4R]

Went to Big Bear this weekend and had a chance to hit a couple of well maintained forest trails to break in the TEP!

Spent a couple hours on 2N10 and 2N06.

I got so many counter answers on airing down with my stock Dueler tires I decided to forgo airing (plan was 25psi). Even with full pressure the ride was still comfortable enough, didn't feel like I was going to rattle to death. Also didn't have any tire slipping. There are a few steeper areas and a few ruts to play in and it did great.

99% could all be done in 2Hi, but I want to break in 4Hi, and even use 4Lo and gearing for the downhills to avoid brakes.

The terrain selector didn't really seem to do anything but I think I need more varied terrain to try it out...

The crawl control was actually pretty cool. In 1st and 4Lo, seems the vehicle wants to do 2-3mph which seems a bit fast. Using the lowest setting of crawl control felt like 0.25 to 1mph. The ABS brakes are loud tho

Locker worked fine, but i was a bit disappointed at how long it took to engage and disengage.. I miss my ARBs (but I dont miss the air leaks ).

Shifting to/from 2Hi/4Hi was smooth and quick with no grinding. So much nicer than our Sequoia with push button 4Hi taking a good 10-15seconds for the actuator to engage.

Shifting to/from 4hi/4Lo was also very smooth. Was even easier than my last JK, no dealing with getting the right .25mph to engage it!

The transmission to switch between 1,2,3rd gear was great. Upshift, downshift, it was spot on with no lag, no lurch.

I'm starting to debate if I should just grab some Toyo AT2s in 265/70 and take more time figuring out a lift for 285s over the next year.

 

[skimr]

Nice write up. You won't regret better tires, especially if you are going to be driving on gravel/rock roads. For what it's worth don't trust stock tires for the fun stuff.

 

[Adnasty]

Man I'm jealous of all your options to go out and play! Glad you had fun and overall the runner impressed you. I've been making myself nuts studying lifts to get 285's under me but finally gave in when the new KO2's came out and went with 275's on my White 14 TEP. It certainly tamed me for a bit but still longing for my rig to be more level and a tad higher. Afraid of the spacer lifts and by the time you're at bilstein 5100 cost you might as well go toytec boss or comparable coilover lift. Mind you mines a pavement princess with trips to VT and lots of camping but still. So I feel your pain on the lift trust me I'm all over the map! Update this thread on what you decide to do. Oh and keep the adventure pics coming!!!

 

[3wbdriver]

I figured out from watching a Japanese video of the Land Cruiser that CRAWL Control is apparently set from 1 - 5 Kilometers per hour. When I use mine I usually start it in the 3 position (reduces noise) and fine tune it from there. It's not just the brakes making the noise. It's the ECU choking down your motor. Your first time looked a little tamer than mine (thrown to the wolves at Toyota Jamboree), but at least you got it dirty! :yo:

 

[Hippiestrail]

Great info been meaning to head up to big bear to see how my trail handles off road.